Best Friends Web Site

May 25, 1999

Imagine feeding and caring for thousands of animals on a daily basis. That's just a typical day at the Best Friends Animals Sanctuary near Kanab.

News Specialist Shelley Osterloh visited there and shows us how this huge operation runs.

With about 130 staff members, Best Friends Animals Sanctuary is one of the largest employers in Kane County. But still, staff can't do the work alone. They rely on help from friends.

At Best Friends Dogtown, 700 hungry mouths wait anxiously each morning as 700 dog bowls are filled.

It takes lots of people, and many are volunteers.

On this day, students from a Califonia school help out.

Michael Bledsoe is one of them. "I like to work with animals, I've done it before," he says.

And under the direction of staff, volunteers help deliver the mountains of chow.

Bjorg Rygnestad, from Norway, works as a weld inspector on an oil rig in the North Sea. She spent her three week vacation volunteering at Best Friends.

She says, "There is so much cruelty against animals, and the idea of people working here to do something for these animals really appeals to me."

Another group of volunteers came from Denver.

And sisters Louise and Jean Marie Patrick are volunteering. One of them came from San Franciso, the other, New York.

Jean Marie says, "Like I took this arthritic old dog for a walk and she was like so proud to be with somebody and showing off to all the other animals." Louise adds, "Strutting down the lane." Jean Marie continues, "And she was like, 'Look, a person loves me. I'm with somebody, and you're not.'"

The sanctuary also offers daily tours, and many people stop into the gift shop.

More than 10,000 people visited the sanctuary last year. They expect maybe 15,000 this year. Often people tour, then stay to volunteer.

And many, like Richard Sargent from El Paso, Texas, also donate.

"We love it. They are doing a very good job... someone is taking care of the animals," he says.

The santuary's annual budget is about $4.5-million.

The Director of Media, Michael Mountain, explains, "About 95% of it comes from our members around the country, members and supporters-- plain old animals lovers who send in an average of $25 to $30 a year."

The Sanctuary has 130,000 members. And to each, it sends a bi-monthly magazine filled with good news, helpful hints and heartwarming stories about animals.

"They like to hear that what they are supporting is doing something that is worthwile, and good and they will keep on supporting it then."